Government taking action to respond to growing problem of prescription drug misuse in Canada
April 15, 2014 – Ottawa - Public Safety Canada/Health Canada
Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Health, and John Weston, Member of Parliament for West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast – Sea-to-Sky Country, highlighted the growing problem of prescription drug misuse and abuse and are encouraging all Canadians to participate in National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day hosted by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police on Saturday, May 10, in communities across Canada.
National Prescription Drug Drop-Off Day provides an opportunity for Canadians to drop off their unused and expired prescription drugs to local police and community partners at specific locations to ensure safe disposal. This initiative aims to reduce the volume of prescription drugs available for misuse and inform the public of the harms associated with prescription drug abuse. It also reminds Canadians that unused prescription drugs can be returned to local pharmacies for disposal any day of the year.
Our Government is taking action to address this complex issue and ensure that drugs intended to serve as medicine do not become the source of abuse and addiction. As announced in Economic Action Plan 2014, the Government has committed $44.9 million over five years to expand the scope of its National Anti-Drug Strategy to include activities to address prescription drug abuse.
By working together, we can protect Canadians from the misuse of prescription drugs and tackle head on prescription drug abuse and addiction.
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety
613-991-0657
Michael Bolkenius
Office of the Honourable Rona Ambrose
Federal Minister of Health
613-957-0200
Media Relations
Health Canada
613-957-2983